The Garden Of Eden

Sport was one of our tremendous adventures in life

Which had droved us from laurels to humiliation

To mold an exquisite and mind-boggling teammates

With a bag full of flair, firmness and tenacity

Something we could not wash our hands of it

For years and years into our pint-sized perimeter of Eden

A place where sport was like a religion

A place of an idyllic backdrop of our sport culture

Trying to scribble down our own sport bible

By completing chapters after chapters

It was like a bucolic world surrounding us

On a pedagogic, communal and contesting echelon

With an highly standardized education of sport

That we have been trained to toe the line and stick to the straight

Through perseverance, hard work and success

By establishing a tight-knit network of friends in life

Teammates with no boundaries

It was like a sanctuary

A place called Eden College

Against the Odds

Along the Road to Racing I would never envisage about taking one of the biggest gamble ever in my life. It’s completely too good to be true; the influx of my younger brother Stephane into the real world of ‘Sport of Kings’ in Sydney almost 19 months ago.

Within one mark of a pen, he went from being the most glumly teenager to a happy young man. I have to admit he was so thrill to be here with me for a new chapter of our life miles away from home. He was as ecstatic and happy as a pig in mud the day I picked him up at the airport. It’s been quite a while since I have not seen such a huge reflect of happiness on his face. I truly find it so fascinating to team up with him for a career in racing: he always bring something new to me and have interesting things to say and often have a different slant on life though his young age.

Indeed it began when I flew back home for the first time in 5 years I have been to ‘Down Under’. I was finally home with mum, dad and stephane just for a stint whilst waiting for my new working visa to be granted. As impatient as they were…I had to dredge up the whole story of my life ‘Down Under’ the night I got home. And that night the main topic of our family reunion was entirely about Horse racing…photos, horses, jockeys, winners anything that could have involve me with thoroughbred.

One day…stephane and I got caught up into a deep and significant conversation of how his life is so depressing and unknown. There was no light through the tunnel regarding his future endeavors. No absolutely prospect of living his dream to become a jockey. In fact, personal issues were continuingly flowing in his life…in every direction. So he turned to ‘Big Brother’ for help and advice as the situation was getting quite critical.  Being graduated from college…working on and off in a call center…doing his riding lesson which was very costly (which at some stage my parents could not afford to pay which pushed him to quit riding)…could not meet the requirement of the Mauritius Turf Club to become an apprentice-jockey…barely having a social life due to financial hardship…could not afford things what a young teenager could at his age…he became a kind of a nerd young man…spending time most of his at home at a lonely pace. As such life was quirky and hit him quite bad right away.  And all of a sudden he found himself in a dark hole…with depression on his plate.

He made it clear to me that day, he wanted to get his own getaway and can’t wait start a new chapter of his life overseas. He actually desperately begged me to get him out here as soon as possible. Considering my knowledge and experience I have achieved within 5 years working in racing, still struggling with the hustle and bustle of making a career out of racing, I took a gamble. That day I vowed that I will do my best to get him on a plane, sign him up in an equine course and get him a job in a stable at the Royal Randwick Racecourse, my actual workplace.

But under one condition; he has to forget about the Mauritian self-enslaving mindset, the languid poise of class division, ethnicity and prejudice he was living in Mauritius. One thing I know for sure is; that the Mauritian mythology has been crafted as much as by acolytes as by antagonists all over Australia. I said to him the true meaning of taking up a new challenge is: ‘you have to be so determined in what you are going to do just like a digger, to fight for every abutment in your new life’. Motivation, determination, sacrifice, focus, success, failure, stress, pressure, passion and common-sense will be his trademark all the way through his racing journey.  At the end of our conversation he was quite relief about my condition and advice.

Few months later down the track he saw himself in Sydney ready to tackle the toughest part of his ambition and ready to take on the big wave. Thus I see myself with a huge responsibility on top of my shoulder having him here with me. Somehow it was all against the odds in regards to my professional commitment, life style and financial responsibilities which I could not unleash. But it did reinforce our union by working our way up within the industry.

Presently, I’m proud to see him on a horse every single morning, riding track work for his master, David Lee who has been from day one and is still a massive support into his ongoing apprenticeship as a young apprentice- jockey in the making. Being a happy young man in his own right now; travelling with horses for racing around NSW, working hard on his apprenticeship course at TAFE, having a normal and affordable social life. Let the scene begin within an act. 

EI…Questions without answers

Opinion

Nearly 3 months now that Equine Influenza has shut down the entire Racing thoroughbreds Industry in NSW. The Randwick Racecourse is still in Quarantine Area. So far the inquiry made by Ian Callinan hasn’t revealed much of how the Equine Flu has plunged Australian’s multi-billion dollar racing and breeding industry into an absolute black-out.

If we take a good look at it by finding the right answers at these questions; where does the State Government stands in this matter? What has the State Government of Mr. Morris Iemma provided since the shutdown has been avowed? Why the Racing Minister has been so muted and ineffective during the outbreak? And why does the Trainers Association and the Racing NSW has to go through legal battle against the State Government?

I presume neither the politicians nor the so-called ‘diplomats’ are eligible to response favorably to these questions. I deduce they don’t even have a clue about the whole mayhem. So why are they still beating around the bush and giving big homily around the table to officials of Racing NSW and Randwick trainers?

Though the Australian Racing Board officials had warned them in the past about poor quarantine standards for overseas racehorses but guess what the message from Mr. Andrew Harding, Chief Executive of ARB, has vanished like an eclipse in the space.

And now almost half of racing population loathes the Federal Government for not taking action at an early stage of the havoc. We, strappers, trainers, farriers, jockeys, dentists, vets, owners all considered as ‘actors’ within the Racing Industry have to juggle with the consequences. In fact the situation is quite dreadful with NSW spring carnival cancelled, NSW horses are out of the Melbourne carnival, first death of the disease, around $10 million in prizemoney lost, $100 million lost in TAB turnover, horse movement banned around NSW, approximately 60,000 Australian workers lost their job, Metropolitan and provincial racecourses have been lockdown, fashion, hospitality, veterinary and retail industries are also hit and racehorse trainers has dropped their stable fees.

It’s quite deceitful to see the way State Government has tackled the issue from the beginning. How could they dare raising the point on papal visit next year which coincide with Word Youth Day celebrations when the Racing industry is still in agony? What will be the consequences of 10 weeks racing and training inactivity at Randwick Racecourse next year? To who goes the blame State or Federal Government? At this stage it seems and sounds like an absolute hogwash.

Yet the Racing Industry is still wounded but is currently recovering from the disease. Neither the $4 million Federal Hardship Fund nor $11 million compensation fund will ease the pain of the entire Racing Industry. It’s time to lay down the vaccination cards on the table and start using it wisely which I truly believe is the only practical way of preventing the spread of EI.

If they keep pulling the cord in one direction this outbreak will remind us the saga of 1945 when Australia was declared in a war known as the ‘austerity Saturday’.

Safwa heads to new breeding career

Former promising mare Safwa from Randwick-trainer John O'Shea, had recently retired from racing. 'Safi' as stable-name is heading to her broodmare duties later this year at Darley Australia with champion sire Elusive Quality.

Her career has brought to an end up with an unlucky run earlier this month during the Brisbane Carnival. ‘Safi’ was very bossy at some stage of her career but has always displayed a remarkable skills of being a group horse. This mare showcased a blistering acceleration for a galloper when she is at her peak.

She proved it by winning previously the Epona Stakes (1900m) and Listed JRA Plate (2000m) in Sydney in March and April.

This 5 yr old mare daughter of Danehill and The Lord Ballina mare Showella has a record of 5 wins, 2 placings and had amassed $260,000 as prizemoney in 14 career starts.

Well, it’s quite a luminous career clashing up with unlucky run for instance in the Group 1 The BMW (2400M) which I still believe she shouldn’t have run. Maybe on the other side of the track the ‘boss’ has had his reason for giving her another run within a week just after smashing her opponents in the Epona Stakes. To me there’s only one way to enlighten this blunder: stunning preparation but short-time frame recuperation.

With such scrutiny I do have the priviledge to express my happiness for being her strapper and grooming her at some point. She was a dazzling mare with loads of maturity, calmness, well-behaved and quite a ‘big girl’. I wonder myself who wouldn’t love to have Safwa in their stable? I guess John O’Shea won’t hide himself behind the curtain to spew out the truth. Though he is a man of his truth!


What I have experienced with ‘Safi’ was an absolute myth, something really enchanted, outlandish and imaginary. A horse with who I had urbanized some kind of compassion and profound interest of understanding the philosophy of being an outstanding racehorse. She was my favourite horse in the stable and will still be.

I can’t wait to see what’s going to be the next twist of her breeding career. And I’m definitely keeping an eye on the new breeding season 2007.

Racing Brothers for life

It was passion that changed our life during a formative trip to Australia. The passion of Horse Racing drove us to the Racing headquarters of the AJC. And March 2006 marked the start of a new era for Jonathan and I in the Australian Racing world. Today seems to be like a huge milestone.

Just to refresh our memories; I came here for my Journalism degree whereas Jonathan settled as an Apprentice-jockey to pursue his dream to be a professional jockey. When we think about it...how does this connect us? Back in harness I was a Sport Journalist and Horse Racing writer for the Mauritius Turf Club and besides that Jonathan was an Apprentice with an effervescent skills and potential. We have experienced and accomplished our duties of being part of the Racing family at home.

But the standout story for me that year came in March. We were re-united as 'Racing Brothers' at David Payne's Stable to pursue our goal. This is to set up a business in Oz. And ironically we could then get our story beamed out around the country. As a matter of fact we haven't reached that stage yet. It's been now a year that we have moved on to the next step in the Australian Racing industry. I presume we were both ready for it. I was the first to make the big move from Payne's stable to John O'Shea Racing Stable in Randwick. I tried to bring him up with me but I was too powerless for that. I reckon that surprise is an absolute paramount to his move couple of months ago to Mick Price Racing Stable in Melbourne to pursue his career as an apprentice. So far he is enjoying himself by riding couples of Group 1 horses like Red Dazzler, Pompeii Ruler, Captious etc...Time will tell then when he will be ready for the big ride in races.

On the contrary of his story mine is slightly different. I have decided to put my journalism degree on hold this year due to financial hardship (meant to be my last year degree) to focus on the racing issue. I have a determined and a willful personality that this could work out for me. And I reckon I didn't take the wrong decision. At the moment I’m working my way up as a stable hand though I’m doing an Owner-Trainer course. Still inwardly, I’m jubilant of being part of the O'Shea team.

Being bounded by Group 1 horses such as Racing to Win, Reigning to Win, Just Mambo, Primus and Safwa...is just a pleasure to fulfill my dream of becoming a good trainer one day.

Soon there’s a great probability that Jonathan and I might team up together to start off as ‘Racing Brothers’ in Oz. I can’t wait to see what going to be the next episode of our stunning jaunt in the Australian Horse Racing Industry.

In the saddle

With hindsight i presume that my comeback in the Horse Racing circuit would be a marathon. Kind of race riding against the stopwatch. I guess i was ready for the ride. But i still can't believe that i will be ‘back in the saddle’ after 18 months inactivity. Obviously, not as a jockey but as a ground staff.

I was speechless at the time i made my comeback at David Payne Racing Stables in Royal Randwick. Particularly when the Foreman (Assistant-Trainer) Christopher O'Carrigan goes to me: "J-F are you ready for the ride?", i replied "Absolutely ready". Then the next day i started to make my footprint in the yard with an early start at 3.30am.

Candidly, I couldn't believe the fuss of commencing my apprenticeship of learning the sideways of looking after racehorses. At this particular period my philosophy was to foster my experience and to push myself to the limit of internalising the concept of Horsemanship in Australia. To describe the job itself; there is one word to say it: Stablehand.

Being fully recognised by the Racing New South Wales through my Stablehand licence...my enthusiam have embellish my plans for the future. Why not thinking of embracing a career as a Trainer? Or being a Horse Racing Writer? Think about these choices! I guess I’m a firm believer in the idea that you’re always happier when you’re doing what you love as your professional job.

Well, i assume that it would be a tough decision to make as far as i'm concern. But at the moment, i'm fully involve in the Racing enclosure. I have spent six months working at David Payne Racing Stables with my best mate, Jonathan Luxe, employed as an Work rider under his Apprentice licence jockey. We had both climbed up and down the hills during these past couples of months struggling with the hard work of everyday morning and afternoon. As we said in the jargon; "Same shit but different days".

From my point of view, you should harbour a passion for horse racing at first before you really get into the industry. It involve a lot of commitment and hard work. I would be a great liar if i say that i haven't learn anything at Dave's stable. I had enjoyed myself working beside the Foreman Chris for the past six months i have been his apprentice-foreman.

But i have decided to move on to the next level...try another experience in a bigger and more competitive stable like John O'Shea Racing Stables.

End of Insearch

More than one year at Insearch was such a huge marathon to get in second year at UTS. I'm so glad to finish this long, stressful and extensive semester.

I can't wait to have some rest, put my head down and get down-to-earth before going for new aventure next month at UTS. Of course...i'm a bit worried for my results....because i wasn't in completely in the semester due to heaps of personal problems.

This was my worst semester i have ever been through since i'm at Insearch. Being part of a group members where some kind of dictatorship was ruled....makes things more complicated for me. I don't cope and communicate with these kind of dictators. No wonder who! It may sound harsh to some people but i have the right to tell. Or i would rather say...Public relation is not my thing!

Sporadically it was not bad. I have enjoy myself with some new discovery like blogs, podcast etc...Really interesting stuffs. It was a good idea from Mike to introduce us to some new modern media revolution...i would prefer to say good on you Rusti.

Anyway...we have 5 more laps to go...lets run and finish it. And in a couple of weeks...i'll see how it looks like....And probably begin a new story of my long trip at University studies.